Just hours before the start of the Route du Rhum 2026, the trimaran skippered by Armel Le Cléac'h suffered a rudder malfunction, creating serious concern in the Banque Populaire camp.
The final hours before the big start are always synonymous with maximum tension for skippers. For Armel Le Cléac'h and his team aboard the Ultim Banque Populaire, the eve of the Route du Rhum 2026 cannon shot was marked by a major scare.
A rudder malfunction compromised the final adjustments of the giant trimaran. The technical teams had to work flat out to diagnose the problem and carry out the necessary repairs urgently. This technical mishap comes at a particularly critical moment, as the weather conditions are already shaping up to be demanding for this edition.
The Breton skipper, a double winner of the Route du Rhum and accustomed to solo races on the great trimarans, had to keep his cool in the face of this unexpected setback. The navigator's experience will undoubtedly be a valuable asset in managing this uncomfortable situation just minutes before the start.
This malfunction reminds everyone that the Route du Rhum forgives no half-hearted preparation. The oceans do not wait, and every detail counts when it comes to covering thousands of nautical miles solo on such an extreme racing machine. Offshore racing enthusiasts will follow with keen interest the behavior of the Ultim Banque Populaire in the first hours of the race.
A rudder malfunction compromised the final adjustments of the giant trimaran. The technical teams had to work flat out to diagnose the problem and carry out the necessary repairs urgently. This technical mishap comes at a particularly critical moment, as the weather conditions are already shaping up to be demanding for this edition.
The Breton skipper, a double winner of the Route du Rhum and accustomed to solo races on the great trimarans, had to keep his cool in the face of this unexpected setback. The navigator's experience will undoubtedly be a valuable asset in managing this uncomfortable situation just minutes before the start.
This malfunction reminds everyone that the Route du Rhum forgives no half-hearted preparation. The oceans do not wait, and every detail counts when it comes to covering thousands of nautical miles solo on such an extreme racing machine. Offshore racing enthusiasts will follow with keen interest the behavior of the Ultim Banque Populaire in the first hours of the race.
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Source: Ouest-France